12.35 We will leave our coverage there for today - thanks for following the Telegraph's coverage of the murder trial of Oscar Pistorius.

We'll be back to live blog the closing arguments, which will be delivered in court by both prosecution and defence from 9.30am UK time on August 7.

12.15 We now have a better idea of when to expect the verdict - Judge Masipa will hear closing arguments on August 7 and 8, and should deliver her decision shortly after.

What are the possible judgements – from premeditated murder to acquittal – that she can make in the trial of Oscar Pistorius?

Here is a look at some of the possible options:

Guilty of premeditated murder: Judge Masipa finds Pistorius intended and planned to unlawfully kill Reeva Steenkamp or an intruder. Premeditated murder is largely brought for the purposes of bail, to allow for immediate custody, and sentencing, since it carries a mandatory life sentence. She might find that he had a row with Steenkamp and went to get his gun to shoot her, or that he heard what he thought was an intruder and decided in a fury to kill them.

Sentence:This charge carries a mandatory life imprisonment sentence, with a minimum term of 25 years before the convict is eligible for parole. It could be that the judge finds Pistorius guilty only of murder, only referring to premeditation at sentencing.

Guilty of culpable homicide (manslaughter): Judge Masipa finds there is a reasonable possibility that Pistorius did not intend to kill Steenkamp and thought he was tackling an intruder. But she finds his actions were negligent and not in keeping with those of a reasonable person who might, for example, have first checked where his girlfriend was, fired a warning shot at the lavatory door or established who the suspected intruder was and if they were armed. South African case law has it that the test of the reasonable person is not altered to take into account the attributes of the specific defendant, in this case physically disabled and possibly suffering from an anxiety disorder, but there is some debate among legal experts about whether Judge Masipa will decide to do so in this case.

Sentence:This is at the discretion of the judge. The maximum prison term is 15 years but convicts can also receive suspended and non-custodial sentences.

Acquitted: Judge Masipa finds that Pistorius genuinely acted out of a belief he was defending himself, even if he was wrong, and modifies the test of the reasonable person to take into account his specific circumstances, his fear of crime and his background.

11.45 As Oscar Pistorius awaits the judge's verdict at his murder trial, we look back at the story so far, from his relationship with Reeva Steenkamp to his bail hearing and cross-examination in court:

November 2012: Oscar Pistorius met Reeva Steenkamp, a model and law graduate, at a lunch at the Kyalami Race Track between Johannesburg and Pretoria (KERIM Okten/EPA/CORBIS)

A police officer holds a gun that was allegedly used in the shooting of Reeva Steenkamp (AP)

February 15, 2013: Pistorius appears before the Pretoria Magistrate's Court where he bursts into tears as prosecutors announce they intend to pursue a charge of premeditated murder (AP PHOTO/ANTOINE DE RAS - INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPERS)

11.00 More details from the Telegraph's Aislinn Laing, who was in court this morning in Pretoria for the end of the defence case, on the defence's fears that the case may have been compromised by the unprecedented media interest:

As he wrapped up his case, Barry Roux revealed that the defence had not been able to call all of the witnesses it would have liked to since some refused to give evidence because of the television cameras in court. Mr Roux said the witnesses had been offered the chance to testify off camera but still refused because of the audio broadcast, adding: "They don't want their voices all over the world".

It is understood that five witnesses would not testify but it is unclear who they were or what they were to say - prosecutors indicated that none of the 107 witnesses on their list indicated they would not give evidence because of the media scrutiny.

A defence source said they were in little doubt that the presence of cameras in court had compromised the case and had a chilling effect on witnesses including Pistorius himself, with one saying: "You've got to be a half-wit to think it's a fair trial."

Whether an issue of this will be made at any eventual appeal remains to be seen...

Defence lawyer Barry Roux (ALON SKUY/AFP/GETTY IMAGES)

10.45 Many details of Oscar Pistorius's live have emerged over the course of the trial, from the impact of the tragic death of his mother in 2002 to his secret plans to retire from athletics in 2017.

10.05 Interesting concerns were raised on the final day of evidence this morning about the "chilling" effect the televising of the trial - and media attention more generally - had on both the participants and those witnesses who ultimately chose not to give evidence.

<noframe>Twitter: Aislinn Laing - And ref those claims by the defence that the televising put off some of their witnesses, I understand five people refused to give evidence.</noframe>

<noframe>Twitter: Aislinn Laing - The defence team believe the televising definitely had a chilling effect generally, on <a href="https://twitter.com/search?src=hash&q=%23OscarPistorius" target="_blank">#OscarPistorius</a> himself and the conduct of the case.</noframe>

<noframe>Twitter: Aislinn Laing - Meanwhile the state say they were nervous at first about cameras in court but it became quickly apparent it would be "business as usual"</noframe>

Oscar Pistorius sits in the dock (ALON SKUY)

09.50 Oscar Pistorius's lawyers closed the case for the defence today. Here's our day-by-day guide to the case for the defence:

Pistorius told the court how he took medication to cope with the nightmares (AP)

Defence pathologist Jan Botha was the first defence witness. He said state pathologist Gert Saayman’s claim that Reeva Steenkamp ate two hours before she died relied on "highly controversial and inexact" science. Mr Botha also disputed the state’s claim that Steenkamp would have had chance to cry out as she was shot, saying the interval between the four shots was only four seconds.

Oscar Pistorius entered the witness box – an audio feed of his evidence was broadcast, but no images. The athlete apologised to Steenkamp’s parents for the “pain and emptiness” he had caused them.

He described his early life, being born without leg bones, his amputation and his parents’ separation, then the death of his “loving and caring” mother when he was 15. He said his burgeoning international athletic career was a “blessing” but made it difficult to maintain relationships with friends and family.

09.20 Here's a recap by Aislinn Laing in Pretoria of some of the most important and dramatic moments from the Oscar Pistorius murder trial, as both sides leave the courtroom to prepare their closing, written arguments.

These will be presented to the judge, who makes the final decision on Pistorius's guilt or innocence herself:

2) Whatsapp messages between the couple reveal several arguments, including one in which Steenkamp accuses her boyfriend of picking on her "incessantly", adding: "I'm scared of you sometimes and how you snap at me."

3) Police admit blundersat the scene, including theft of athlete's watches, ballistics expert picking up Pistorius's gun without gloves and lavatory door being walked on then kept in body bag in police chief's office

5) Pistorius bursts into tears as cross-examiner tears into him over a video showing him laughing as he shoots at a watermelon and compares it to a human. Gerrie Nel thenorders the athlete to lookat a picture of Steenkamp's head injury, telling him to "take responsibility".

09.00 We're going to keep our live blog going for most of the morning for a look back at the trial.

Catch up on the key moments from both the prosecution and the defence's cases - including the dramatic moment when Oscar Pistorius was in the witness box being shown pictures from the crime scene - with our video highlights:

08.49 Now that we have heard all the evidence, it is time to return to the big question - is Oscar Pistorius guilty, or innocent?

Our southern African correspondent Aislinn Laing sums up 10 reasons why he could be found guilty, and 10 reasons the judge may find him innocent.

Here are a few of them - click at the link below for the whole list:

GUILTY

1) Five neighbours told the trial they heard a woman screaming before what they believed were shots fired, suggesting Pistorius knew who he was shooting.

2) Another neighbour heard a man and woman arguing for an hour before there was the sound of four loud bangs.

3) Steenkamp still had food in her stomach meaning, the state pathologist said, she ate within two hours of her death at 3am. Pistorius said they went to bed at 10pm, five hours before she died.

4) Steenkamp described in WhatsApp messages how she was "scared" of Pistorius and his temper; his ex-girlfriend Samantha Taylor testified that he had a bad temper and had fired his gun in anger once before.

5) During a shaky performance in the witness box, Pistorius changed his story and his defence from previous statements read at his bail hearing and the start of his trial; adding the last words he exchanged with Steenkamp and that he heard the lavatory door slam, and first saying he fired at an intruder, then that he fired by mistake.

Oscar Pistorius sits in the dock during his trial in Pretoria (Reuters)

INNOCENT

1) Pistorius had a heightened fear of intruders because his family had been victims of crime many times before, and this made him react more dramatically to a perceived threat.

2) The athlete felt especially vulnerable because he did not have his prosthetic legs on when he fired the shots. A psychologist said his reaction might seem “extraordinary” for an able-bodied person, but could be explained by his disability. The Paralympians’ team doctor said disabled people often exhibited more dramatic “fight-flight” responses, and Pistorius would have chosen to fight since he was unable to flee.

3) Pistorius suffered from a Generalised Anxiety Disorder, a psychiatrist who evaluated him found, which along with his disability may have made him react more extremely to a perceived threat.

4) Pistorius fought to save Steenkamp's life and was, witnesses said, distraught by what had happened.

5) The state presented scant evidence of the row they say prompted the shooting, through witness testimony or communication between the couple. The majority of Steenkamp's WhatsApp messages reflect that she was happy with the athlete. She also wrote him a Valentine's card in which she revealed she was in love with him.

08.45 So the evidence is finally over, and both sides have closed their cases.

They will return to court early next month for closing arguments before a verdict expect a few weeks later.

08.42 Judge Masipa confirms the dates requested by Gerrie Nel, and dismisses the court until 9.30am (8.30am UK time) on August 7.

08.40 Prosecutor Gerrie Nel also requests that no reporting on the written arguments in print or electroinc media be allowed until the argument begins in court on August 8.

Judge Masipa says that such leaking of documents is "very concerning" and constitutes theft. She grants the order;.

08.39 Judge Masipa asks prosecutor Gerrie Nel how he would like to proceed.

He says the prosecution will file its written argument on July 30. The defence will then have until August 4 to compile its own.

The closing court arugments will then take place August 7-8.

08.37 The defence has closed its case. Defence psychiatrist Leon Fine had a heart attack, and cannot be called to provide evidence.

08.30 To recap, Pistorius's lawyer has said he expects to close the defence case this morning. However, we are slightly late starting due to what we are told are "housekeeping issues", so it remains to be seen how long the case could continue this morning.

08.00 If you missed yesterday's proceedings, here is a round-up of what we learnt from day 38:

The state worked to show Oscar Pistorius is not as vulnerable as he claims when on his stumps and the defence said it would soon conclude its case during the 38th day of his murder trial

• State prosecutor Gerrie Nel attempted to discredit key defence witness Wayne Derman saying the medical expert was testifying beyond his field of specialisation when he gave evidence on the mental health of the athlete.

"If that is indeed the case my lady I would cede to my learned colleagues' higher qualification in this particular issue," Derman said when Nel asked him about a conflicting psychiatrist's opinion on the athlete.

• Nel asked Derman about Pistorius's mobility on his stumps, appearing to reference a shocking video aired by an Australian television network that features Pistorius re-enacting the night he shot his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.

"Can I just ask you then, was it ever demonstrated to you that Mr Pistorius was able to walk backwards on his stumps?" said Nel.

"It was never demonstrated to me," said Derman.

• Nel argued that Pistorius was less vulnerable the night he shot Steenkamp because he took extensive measures to protect himself, including living in a gated community and having a gun.

"At least you will concede with a gun in hand he's less vulnerable," said Nel.

"He might indeed be less vulnerable but how much vulnerable I do not know," said Derman.

• Nel accused Derman, who has known Pistorius for six years, of not being an objective witness.

"Professor I have put to you and I will do it again that you are not objective in your evidence," said Nel.

• Judge Thokozile Masipa ruled that the defence should not be able to confer with Carla Kotze, a psychiatrist appointed by the state to evaluate Pistorius's mental health.

"I'm not even sure whether it would be in the interest of justice to allow this to happen," said Judge Masipa.

• Pistorius defence lawyer Barry Roux asked for an adjournment to confer with his team, saying he is planning to close his case.

07.30 Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of the murder trial of Oscar Pistorius, the former Paralympian accused of deliberately shooting and killing his girlfriend Reevan Steenkamp in February of last year.

Oscar Pistorius's lawyers are expected to close their defence today, day 39 of the trial, paving the way for the court to be dismissed until written statements are submitted in some weeks' time.

Of course, there could be a surprise or two in store yet, with the prosecution not having yet said whether they plan to reopen their case to examine in more detail the psychiatric report into Oscar Pistorius's mental health, asthe defence threatened to do yesterday.